Quantitative Research

Quantitative Research
Quantitative research uses scientifically collected and statistically analyzed data to investigate observable phenomena. A
phenomenon is any existing or observable fact or situation that we want to unearth further or understand. It is scientific for
the fact that it uses a scientific method in designing and collecting numerical data. Once data is collected, it will undergo
statistical analysis like Pearson’s r, t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for analysis. Since data is analyzed
statistically, the data obtained must be numerical and quantifiable, hence its name quantitative research.
Numerical data are generally easier to collect than descriptions or phrases used in qualitative research. Information like
student’s grades in different subjects, number of hours
of engagement in social media platforms of teens, percentage of consumers who prefer the color blue for soap packaging,
and average of daily Covid-19 patient recovery per region are just few examples of research data expressed in numbers.
Some data, on the other hand, are not directly countable and thus require conversion from non-numerical information into
numerical information. For instance, determining which brand of canned sardines is the best choice for consumers in
terms of taste cannot be expressed in numbers unless we do a survey using a rating scale. Several forms of rating scales
are available, e.g., the Likert scale that we can use to quantify data. Usually, they come in a selection of numbers with a
corresponding meaning for each choice, for example: 1= tastes very good, 2 = satisfactory, or 3 = undesirable. Numerical
choices convert texts into numbers so the researcher can perform mathematical operations for faster, more accurate, and
more objective analysis.
Characteristics of Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is commonly used in natural sciences research problems because of the following characteristics:
1. Large Sample Size. To obtain more meaningful statistical result, the data must come from a large sample size.
2. Objectivity. Data gathering and analysis of results are done accurately, objectively, and are unaffected by the
researcher’s intuition and personal guesses.
3. Concise Visual Presentation. Data is numerical which makes presentation through graphs, charts, and tables
possible and with better conveyance and interpretation.
4. Faster Data Analysis. The use of a statistical tools gives way for a less time- consuming data analysis.
5. Generalized Data. Data taken from a sample can be applied to the population if sampling is done accordingly,
i.e., sufficient size and random samples were taken.
6. Fast and Easy Data Collection. Depending on the type of data needed, collection can be quick and easy.
Quantitative research uses standardized research instruments that allow the researcher to collect data from a large
sample size efficiently. For instance, a single survey form can be administered simultaneously to collect various
measurable characteristics like age, gender, socio-economic status, etc.
7. Reliable Data. Data is taken and analyzed objectively from a sample as a representative of the population,
making it more credible and reliable for policymaking and decision making.
8. High Replicability. The Quantitative method can be repeated to verify findings enhancing its validity, free from
false or immature conclusions.
Advantages of Quantitative Research
The following are the advantages of quantitative research or its strengths:
1. Very objective
2. Numerical and quantifiable data can be used to predict outcomes.
3. Findings are generalizable to the population.
4. There is a conclusive establishment of cause and effect
5. Fast and easy data analysis using statistical software.
6. Fast and easy data gathering
7. Quantitative research can be replicated or repeated.
8. Validity and reliability can be established
Disadvantages of Quantitative Research
The following are the disadvantages of quantitative research or its weaknesses:
1. It lacks the necessary data to explore a problem or concept in depth.

2. It does not provide a comprehensive explanation of human experiences.
3. Some information cannot be described by numerical data such as feelings, and beliefs.
4. The research design is rigid and not very flexible.
5. The participants are limited to choosing only from the given responses.
6. The respondents may tend to provide inaccurate responses.
7. A large sample size makes data collection more costly.
Kinds of Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is a broad spectrum that can be classified into smaller and more specific kinds: descriptive,
correlational, ex post facto, quasi-experimental, and experimental.
A. Descriptive design is used to describe a particular phenomenon by observing it as it occurs in nature.

There is no experimental manipulation, and the researcher does not start with a hypothesis. The goal of
descriptive research is only to describe the person or object of the study. An example of descriptive research
design is “the determination of the different kinds of physical activities and how often high school students do
it during the quarantine period.”
B. The correlational design identifies the relationship between variables. Data is collected by observation
since it does not consider the cause and effect, for example, the relationship between the amount of physical
activity done and student academic achievement.
C. Ex post facto design is used to investigate a possible relationship between previous events and present
conditions. The term “Ex post facto” which means after the fact, looks at the possible causes of an already
occurring phenomenon. Just like the first two, there is no experimental manipulation in this design. An
example of this is “How does the parent’s academic achievement affect the children obesity?”
D. A quasi-experimental design is used to establish the cause-and-effect relationship of variables. Although

it resembles the experimental design, the quasi-experimental has lesser validity due to the absence of random
selection and assignment of subjects. Here, the independent variable is identified but not manipulated. The
researcher does not modify pre-existing groups of subjects. The group exposed to treatment (experimental) is
compared to the group unexposed to treatment (control): example, the effects of unemployment on attitude
towards following safety protocol in ECQ declared areas.
E. Experimental design like quasi- experimental is used to establish the cause-and-effect relationship of two
or more variables. This design provides a more conclusive result because it uses random assignment of
subjects and experimental manipulations. For example, a comparison of the effects of various blended
learning to the reading comprehension of elementary pupils.

Quantitative Research

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Quantitative Research

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

Advantages of Quantitative Research

The following are the advantages of quantitative research or its strengths:

4. There is a conclusive establishment of cause and effect

5. Fast and easy data analysis using statistical software.

6. Fast and easy data gathering

7. Quantitative research can be replicated or repeated.

8. Validity and reliability can be established

Disadvantages of Quantitative Research

The following are the disadvantages of quantitative research or its weaknesses:

1. It lacks the necessary data to explore a problem or concept in depth.

4. The research design is rigid and not very flexible.

6. The respondents may tend to provide inaccurate responses.

7. A large sample size makes data collection more costly.

Kinds of Quantitative Research

A. Descriptive design is used to describe a particular phenomenon by observing it as it occurs in nature.

D. A quasi-experimental design is used to establish the cause-and-effect relationship of variables. Although

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